In December 2014, the Hargeysa Cultural Center launched a temporary display of rare books on Somaliland, Somalia and Djibouti. This collection of rare books focuses in particular on publications from the colonial era, and comprises books donated to the library by friends from different countries. Through this exhibition and other similar activities, we hope to raise awareness (amongst researchers, students, ordinary citizens, etc....) about the books that are available to the public in our library.

Based on Walls’ long-standing engagement with the Horn of Africa, this book offers a comprehensive and fine-tuned account of the current political landscape of the Somali regions, with a particular focus on Somaliland. It details the country’s transition to the current multi-party democracy, and the formation of a hybrid system based on both consensus and representative decision making processes. Somalilanders’ impressive ability to manage crises, often at the last moment, and their careful negotiation of nation-state politics and Somali custom are painstakingly examined, offering a powerful counter-narrative to that of the ‘failed state’ that tends to dominate the region. Walls’ analysis of the successes and challenges that lie ahead resonate beyond Somaliland. This book is an essential read for researchers, policy-makers and practitioners with an interest in governance and politics in the region.

Photography is one of the most powerful and immediate ways of sharing stories with people across the world, as well as being one of the currently desired professions rapidly gaining grounds. Hargeysa International Book Fair announces its second creative photography training sessions prior to the opening of the Book Fair. The training sessions will take place at the new Hargeysa Cultural Center.

The training sessions will be delivered by our guest Kate Stanworth assisted by former 2013 trainee Mustafe Saeed. Kate is a London based documentary photographer who travelled to Somaliland for the first time in 2012 to photograph the local elections. She returned to exhibit her work in 2013 at the Hargeysa International Book Fair, where she delivered a series of photography workshops. Her photos of Somaliland featured on the BBC website and BBC World TV. Kate works in association with PROEXPOSURE, an organisation that trains aspiring photographers and filmmakers from every corner of the world, empowering them to tell their own stories from their own unique perspectives.

This course is designed for photography enthusiasts and those who might use photography as part of their work, including journalists, NGO workers and aspiring artists. It includes an introduction to different forms of photography, guidance on how to take good photographs, practical portrait sessions and a self-led assignment which will be evaluated within the group. Past students have gone on to exhibit their work in a London gallery.

The late Ahmed Shiekh Jama, best known as a poet and public intellectual, was regular contributor to HIBF and a special friend of our team. Just two years ago we published his first book as part of our Curisyo (Essays) series. “Cadli doonaha daal Allaa baday”, a novel inspired by works of George Orwell, which is an allegorical reflection and commentary on contemporary Somali political affairs.

His original allegorical Orwellian narration, on which his book is based, is titled as “Shirwaynahii Xayaanka Soomaaliyeed, 1988” (The Great Assembly of Somali Animals, 1988), and is Orwellian like story where Somali nature of politics is narrated through animals.

Ahmed was expected to take the platform of this year’s HIBF, to read selections from his poetry collection and share with festival participants his thoughts and concerns. We all of us miss him very much, may Allah rest his soul in peace.